The name's Joe.

I left the smudgy zip-lock bags along with the law—and occasionally jaw—breaking behind. Taking my foot out of the grave, I began a transformation toward truth, the arts, and love.

Always a ponderer, I leverage my past to articulate the present, and every now and then, something worthwhile makes it to the page.

Medium is now my digital home for these stories.

Though I lead a minimalist lifestyle, my heart is enormously enriched by a diverse powerhouse: my small-village Polish wife, two Lancastrian ragdoll cats, a partially deaf Thai stray dog, and, of course, my love for writing.

If I could find happiness, so can you, friend.

This is me, believing that a questionable background in piano and writing somehow translates to playing the guitar. Oh, damn you, frustratingly lovely journey of creative pursuits.